PRESS RELEASE: Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe Proposes New National Monument in California
YUMA, AZ (February 1, 2024)– The Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe today announced an effort to establish the Kw'tsán National Monument, calling on President Biden to protect more than 390,000 acres of the Tribe’s homelands located in Imperial County, California. These lands, currently managed by the Bureau of Land Management, contain incredible cultural, ecological, recreational, scenic, and historic values that the Tribe is asking be preserved for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.
“As original stewards of this land, we are asking President Biden to take action to protect this important and sacred landscape by designating it as the Kw'tsán National Monument,” said Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe President Jordan Joaquin. “As others see the land as just land and dirt, we, the Quechan people, see the land in our DNA. We come from the air, the water, the land. It's who we are, and protecting these lands preserves our past while safeguarding our future.”
The Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe and the Quechan people remain committed to the preservation of its cultural values, belief systems, life ways, traditional practices, and the sovereign legal rights of Native American people. The Tribal Council is requesting that the Biden Administration designate this new monument through the Antiquities Act, and establish an inter-governmental stewardship agreement between the Tribe and federal agencies. This would mean that Quechan values, knowledge, expertise, and worldviews will be incorporated into the new monument management plan so that ceremonies, cultural activities, and gatherings within the protected area could continue.
“We need to protect our culture, heritage, traditions and our language. The trails that are encompassed within this area connect us back to the spirit world. It's important for us to be able to go back into the desert and to show future generations who we are. To see our footprints in the desert reconnects us with who we are as the Quechan people. This effort is bringing the Quechan community together to protect this sacred place,” said Kw’tsán Cultural Committee Chairman Manfred Scott.
The proposed national monument is part of a greater cultural landscape, connecting Avi Kwa Lal, Palo Verde Peak, the proposed Chuckwalla National Monument, and Spirit Mountain in Avi Kwa Ame National Monument. The proposed boundary incorporates the Indian Pass Area of CriticalEnvironmental Concern (ACEC) Pilot Knob (Avikwalal), Singer Geoglyphs (ACEC), Buzzards Peak, and Picacho Peak Wilderness areas.
“The Kw'tsán National Monument is directly adjacent to our reservation but encompasses the heart of our aboriginal homelands,” said Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe Council Member Donald W. Medart, Jr. “This national monument will protect the trails, desert life, petroglyphs, geoglyphs, and lithics that we have in our surrounding desert. The Quechan people have been in this area since time immemorial, and we intend to protect these lands until the end of time.”
A national monument would provide protections for wildlife, cultural places, sacred sites, scenic features and other conservation values and would also prevent new harmful activities, including new mining claims and large industrial development within its boundaries.
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B-roll and photos of the proposed monument available here.
Please credit “Courtesy of Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe/Bob Wick.”